Blues Caravan 2018 - Three Musicians on a Mission - Playing in London on 20th April

Blues enthusiasts, live music lovers and aspiring musicians across the country are in for a very special treat, when this “charismatic collective” play nine dates in the UK. As part of their extensive international tour, their third show in the UK is at Borderline in London on Friday 20th April!

This is no ordinary club tour…….this is the Blues Caravan 2018. If you’ve followed Ruf’s rolling revue since it started life in 2005, you’ll already know that these shows are must-see events, throwing together three stellar artists on one bill – then letting the chemistry do the rest. Traditionally, the Blues Caravan line-up has showcased the label’s breaking talent – from Aynsley Lister to Samantha Fish and given fans a chance to catch the blues titans of tomorrow before they go ‘boom’. But in 2018, it’s time to mix things up and on this year’s Blues Caravan, you’ll not only find one young gun with a dazzling career ahead of her, but also two heavyweights with a sky-high reputation. Let’s welcome them to the stage…

With past treks helping launch stars including Joanne Shaw Taylor, Bart Walker and Samantha Fish, it’s a springboard for the blues scene’s next-big-things, and a magnet for fans who want to catch them before lift-off, Blues Caravan 2018 is sure to raise the roof each night as it rolls across Sweden, Europe and the UK………

Some surnames command instant respect on the blues scene. As the son of the mighty Luther Allison – the late Chicago blues titan who was Ruf’s first signing back in 1994 – Bernard Allison has added to the family legend and carved out his own mythology as a world-class songwriter and performer. For this year’s Blues Caravan, he’ll be drawing on an acclaimed back catalogue that includes 1997’s US debut Keepin’ The Blues Alive and 2000’s classic Born With The Blues, and slipping between genres as only a master can. “I’m looking forward to being a part of the Caravan. “My show is all about sharing my musical talent and presenting different styles like blues, rock and funk. There’ll be lots of energy, because I feed off of my fans and love interacting with them on and off stage,” says Bernard. You can expect a fun time – the Allison way!”

Ruf’s tireless dedication to the blues means it hunts far beyond the US and UK for its new signings – and the label has struck gold with Croatian gunslinger Vanja Sky. Channelling the fire and flair of Rory Gallagher, Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan, this 23-year-old hot-tip has already broken out in her home country and bordering Balkan States. Now, with her highly anticipated debut studio album released in January 2018, Vanja is planting her flag in Europe and North America as the junior partner on the Blues Caravan. Vanja says; “I’m very excited to play on the Blues Caravan 2018 and looking forward to meeting a lot of new people and sharing my music with them. My shows are filled with great energy and I always give everything when I’m on stage. I’m gonna play songs from my debut album, and also some cover songs – so people can definitely expect some great music and fun.”

If you’re remotely serious about modern blues, you’ll have followed the twists and turns of Mike Zito’s fascinating career. The Missouri-born bandleader overcame his crippling early addictions to become one of modern America’s sharpest songwriters, and few artists have written with such stark eloquence as he did on 2011’s Greyhound album. In 2012, Mike threw us a curveball, lining up alongside Devon Allman and Cyril Neville as a key member of Royal Southern Brotherhood – and went on to stay with the supergroup for two critically feted albums. But the call of his own muse was too strong, and in 2014, Mike burst straight back into his solo career with Keep Coming Back and Make Blues Not War. Mike says; “I have long wanted to join the Blues Caravan and run away, so I’m excited. My shows are energetic and passionate: I try hard to give everything I’ve got and make every note count. You can expect rocking blues guitar, with a dose of soul vocals, and a mix of my best songs.”

Words alone cannot convey the special sound that this trio create together and the only way to truly experience this is by seeing them live. Having said this, you can get a feel for what’s in store by having a look and listen to them getting it together at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-c0a5lvj_0

Singularly superb………..but all three on the same stage; “blues music has never sounded……or looked so good”……

Don’t miss out on seeing Blues Caravan 2018 at Borderline in London on Friday 20th April